23's Front hatch drain holes.....

[Reel Smoker]

I noticed on some 23's the hole is under the water line and on others are just above. For those that are under, has anyone had water seeping into the bilge because of the caulking or a bad thru hull fitting? RS.

[ScottM]

Diego,
We didn't have any leakage problems, but because ours were below the water line we had them glassed over just to be on the safe side. We only use the boxes for dry storage anyway.

[Scott]

Hey RS !!!!

How things??

Your talking about the storage/fish box under the casting platform ...right ????
If I recall "Steve's" boat (prior to his ownership) went under because of that drain hole seeping water. Personally….. and as Scott M. recommends …. I would glass it over

[Reel Smoker]

Thanks for your responses. I'm going to glass it but thinking of making another hole so it could drain into the bilge. Whats your opinion on this and were do you think the new drain hole would work best. Thanks again.

[Brian Rice]

Mine seems to be fine. Are you going to use it as a fish box? If so do you really want it to drain into the bilge?

We just put another brass fitting in and it seemed to be dry and have not had any leaking.

[Briguy]

Scott M,

Do you get any rainwater in the forward hatch?

[BermudaTriangle]

Sorry i know this is an old thread but wondering about similar thing. i have a classic 23 and wondering if that hatch under the casting platform is insulated. not sure if it is designed for a fish box or not. mine also has a through hull thats just on the water line. Never get water in but hoping to use as a fishbox as not much room for a big cooler (for big fish). front hatch would be nice and can wash out and it drain straight out of the boat.

[Capt Chuck]

Keep an eye on that thru hull if it's original. They were threaded plastic from the factory. Easily cracked due too stress between the inner liner & outer hull allowing water intrusion to the bilge... No Insulation between liner & hull, upper nor under. I replaced mine with S/S Gem make utilizing a drain plug inside.

[bumpdraft]

I’ve always used that hatch as a fish box. A long time ago,I used styrofoam under the lid for the times when we would be gone for a few days. I’d load ice blocks in and after a long trailer ride, no ice melted. I have a bronze drain and I did notice that once in the warm water, the ice would not last as well. Part of that I attribute to the drain in contact with the water. To let water out of the drain, I would have to reach in and pull the plug, then go back to the stern, then go quickly back to put the plug back in. I don’t understand how no water comes in your hatch. If I don’t have a plug in, I get water in even underway with waves and all.